LPAC Donates $112k to Tammy Baldwin Effort; Announces 2012 Slate

August 23, 2012—Today LPAC, the first of its kind lesbian political action committee, contributed nearly $112,000 to EMILY’s List WOMEN VOTE! to defend Rep. Tammy Baldwin in her November election against anti-woman, anti-gay Tommy Thompson. The money will go toward buying television ads to educate voters in Wisconsin about Thompson’s record as a DC insider more beholden to corporate interests than Wisconsin families. The buy began to air on August 17 and will continue through August 26, on broadcast and cable television in Milwaukee, LaCrosse, Wausau, and Green Bay.

“Tammy Baldwin embodies everything LPAC stands for. She has a history of protecting women’s rights and expanding issues of social justice. Rep. Baldwin is a staunch advocate for reproductive rights and wrote bills to expand both breast cancer screenings and hate crime laws, as well as measures to eliminate workplace discrimination,” said LPAC Chair Sarah Schmidt.

“In the wake of Republican Missouri Senate candidate Rep. Todd Akin’s horrendous and clearly factually incorrect comments that victims of ‘legitimate rape’ don’t get pregnant because ‘the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down’ and the continuous anti-gay, anti-woman actions of many candidates and elected officials this election cycle, there isn’t a more critical time to elect candidates who are loud, proud voices for our values.”

If elected, Rep. Baldwin would be the first openly gay US Senator.

LPAC also announces the first round of its 2012 political slate. LPAC will support two critical ballot initiative campaigns: Mainers United for Marriage and Florida’s No On Amendment 6. If successful, Maine’s initiative would be the first pro-marriage equality ballot question to pass. Florida’s proposed amendment would strip away important reproductive freedoms for women in the state, and would intrude on private medical decisions between a woman and her doctor.

LPAC is a hybrid PAC, working to support both strategic independent expenditures and also support candidates directly. LPAC will directly support Elizabeth Warren in her US Senate race. Warren would be the first female Senator from Massachusetts, and a strong voice for women’s rights and social justice. Incumbent US Rep. Donna Edwards, of Maryland, will also receive support. A leading advocate for women and domestic violence protections, Rep. Edwards is also a leader on marriage equality.

On the statewide level, Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin will receive LPAC’s backing: “As Senate President, Shumlin led the effort to pass marriage equality in Vermont. First passing the bill and then over turning a Governor’s veto, and we’re glad to support allies who will help our voices be heard,” Schmidt said.

LPAC is working with both women’s and LGBT political organizations in order to be most strategic and effective with its resources.

After decades of being a small subset of players in women’s rights and LGBT rights political efforts, the women of LPAC are stepping up to get organized like never before, aiming to give lesbians a real and meaningful seat at the table. With significant resources, LPAC plans to make a true impact for lesbians in the 2012 election cycle and beyond.

LPAC’s values include:

-Ending discriminatory treatment of LGBT individuals and their families;